2008 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a 2000 metre weight-for-age race run by the Australian Jockey Club. The race is held in April or early May each year at Randwick during the Autumn Racing Carnival.

Race Type: Group 1 WFA 3YO & up
Distance: 2000m
Track: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales

The AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes has changed its name and distance over the years, but can be traced back to 1851 when it was won by Cossack who also won the following year. Back then the distance was 24 furlongs (about 4800 metres) and it a race that is often won by tough stayers. It is interesting that a mare hasn’t won for over twenty years, with the last being Dinky Flyer in 1987. Several horses have won it more than once including Grand Armee (2004 & 2005), Intergaze (1997 & 1999) and Tulloch (1958, 1960 & 1961).

The race was first named the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1954, when Blue Ocean won at 66-1 in front of the Queen. Prior to 1954 it was known as the AJC Plate, and was the Kings Cup in 1934. The current distance of 2000m has been run since 1979. From 1973 to 1978 the distance was 2400m. From 1923 to 1972 the distance varied from 18 furlongs, 16 furlongs, 14 furlongs and 12 furlongs, and prior to 1922 it was a punishing 24 furlongs.

Throughout its history it has been won by tough horses who are part of Australia’s history – horses like Ming Dynasty, Gay Icarus, Peter Pan and Phar Lap. Several Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners are also Melbourne Cup winners, including Might and Power (1998), Doriemus (1996) and Jeune (1995).